Mainframe Admin

Detailed Job Description

• System Management: Oversee the installation, configuration, and maintenance of mainframe hardware, software, and operating systems.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor system performance and ensure optimal operation by identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks.
• Security Management: Implement and maintain robust security protocols to protect mainframe systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
• Backup and Recovery: Develop and manage backup and recovery procedures to ensure data integrity and availability in case of system failures.
• Storage Management: Manage and maintain Mainframe Storage Arrays and File Systems including Virtual Tape systems and subsystems.
• Problem Resolution: Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to mainframe systems, ensuring minimal downtime and disruption to business operations.
• Capacity Planning: Conduct capacity planning and forecasting to ensure the mainframe environment can handle current and future workloads efficiently.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations, procedures, and changes for reference and compliance purposes.
• Support: Provide technical support and guidance to other IT staff and users regarding mainframe-related issues and queries.

Key Responsibilities

1. Data Center Migration Planning & Execution
   • Lead end-to-end migration of IBM mainframes from legacy data centers to new on-premise or cloud-based environments.

• Develop mainframe workload migration strategies, including LPAR, data replication, and application transition.
• Perform impact analysis, risk assessments, and dependency mapping before migration.
• Implement cutover plans, rollback strategies, and failover testing to minimize downtime.

1. Mainframe Infrastructure Setup & Configuration
   • Configure and optimize IBM zSeries (z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux) environments in the new data center.
   • Manage LPAR provisioning, network segmentation, and workload balancing post-migration.
   • Tune system parameters, workload scheduling, and CPU resource allocation to maintain performance.
   • Ensure successful integration of migrated workloads with existing applications and databases.
2. Storage & Data Migration
   • Perform high-volume data migrations using tools like IBM DataMover, DFSMS, and SRDF/EMC storage replication.
   • Manage tape backup, virtual tape systems (VTS), and storage tiering for migration efficiency.
   • Ensure DB2, IMS, and VSAM databases are securely migrated with minimal data loss.
   • Conduct pre- and post-migration data integrity checks.
3. Network & Security Compliance in Migration
   • Implement mainframe network reconfiguration post-migration (TCP/IP, SNA, VTAM, OSA).
   • Maintain RACF security policies during and after migration to ensure role-based access control (RBAC) compliance.
   • Ensure encryption of in-transit and at-rest data meets regulatory standards (ISO 27001, PCI- DSS, GDPR).
   • Work with security teams to implement firewall rules, VPN access, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote mainframe users.
4. Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting
   • Monitor CPU, memory, and storage utilization before, during, and after migration.
   • Use tools like IBM OMEGAMON, MainView, and Splunk for performance tracking and issue detection.
   • Optimize batch job execution, scheduling, and workload distribution post-migration.
   • Troubleshoot CICS, DB2, MQ Series, and COBOL application performance issues related to migration.
5. Disaster Recovery (DR) & High Availability
   • Implement DR and failover mechanisms in the new data center.
   • Conduct disaster recovery tests (DR drills) and failover validation to ensure business continuity.
   • Integrate mainframe workloads with cloud-based DR solutions (IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure).
6. Documentation & Post-Migration Support
   • Create runbooks, system configuration documentation, and migration reports.
   • Document troubleshooting guides and knowledge base articles for ongoing support.
   • Train internal teams on mainframe operations in the new data center environment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor s or Master s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in IBM mainframe operations, with 3+ years in data center migration projects.
• Proven expertise in z/OS, CICS, DB2, IMS, RACF, JCL, and MQ Series.
• Experience in data migration, workload balancing, and post-migration tuning.

Certifications (Preferred but Not Mandatory)

• IBM Certified System Administrator z/OS
• IBM Certified Database Administrator DB2
• ITIL Foundation Certification (for change management in migrations)
• AWS/Azure Certified Cloud Practitioner (if cloud-hosted mainframe migration is required)

Technical Skills

• Mainframe Platforms: IBM zSeries, z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux
• Storage & Backup: DFSMS, HSM, SRDF, Tape Backup, VTS, DataMover
• Networking & Security: TCP/IP, VTAM, OSA, RACF, MFA, Firewall Configurations
• Database & Applications: DB2, IMS, VSAM, MQ Series, COBOL, JCL
• Monitoring & Performance: IBM OMEGAMON, MainView, Splunk, CA-7 Job Scheduler
• Automation & Scripting: REXX, CLIST, Python for mainframe automation

General Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and mentoring junior mainframe engineers